Seasonal Cultivation : Summer

As many of you probably already know, Summer is here and it's in full swing! The farm is full of lush, deep green growth and we are only a week away from the Summer Solstice. The nodes are the smaller mini-seasons and provide a closer look at the transformations of change in the natural world that the larger segments of the four season cannot specifiy in as great detail.

As mentioned in our Spring Cultivation, each Node is roughly 15 days long, and each has a name in Chinese that attempts to describe what is happening at that time of year in symbolic terms.

Beginning of Summer - May 5-6

Mole Crickets Croon

Earthworms Emerge

Snake Gourds Grow

Minor Fullness - May 20-21

Sow thistles are in Seed

Sheperd’s Purses Expire

Minor Summer Heat Arrives

Bearded Grain - June 5-6

Praying Mantises are Born

Shrikes Begin to Sing

Mockingbirds Stop Vocalizing

Summer Solstice - June 20-21

Deer Shed Antlers

Cicadas Begin Singing

Pinellia Grows

Minor Heat - July 7-8

Sultry Winds Arrive

Crickets Take up Residence in Walls

Young Hawks Learn to Fly

Great Heat - July 22-23

Decaying Grass Transforms into Fireflies

The Earth Lies Damp Beneath Sweltering Heat

Heavy Rains Periodically Fall

As Dr. Henry McCaan writes, how can we use an understanding of Yin and Yang in nature to better allow us to harmonize with the external envronment? Doing so prevents disease and ensure better health. while this seems like such an easy idea, it would seem that modern people don’t think along these lines.

People in agrarian societies live closely with the movements of the seasons. Once we moved away from the farm and into modern cities with indoor lighting and perfectly controlled interior environments we seem to have forgotten that humans are an integral part of nature. So remember to be aware of what is happening outside, and how we can use that observation to preserve our own life.

Helpful Summer Tips for Balance:

Increase water and herbal teas - those prone to excess heat can drink chrysanthemum tea